SAN MATEO, Calif., July 24, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NeurogesX, Inc. (OTCQB:NGSX) (OTCBB:NGSX), a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing a portfolio of novel non-opioid, pain management therapies, announced today that its partner Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd., the European headquarters of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc., has enrolled the first patient in its ELEVATE clinical trial in the European Union (EU). This trial is the first study to compare Qutenza® (8% capsaicin patch) to pregabalin as a treatment for peripheral neuropathic pain. Pregabalin is an oral therapy widely used as first-line treatment for peripheral neuropathic pain.[i] Under its Commercial License Agreement with Astellas, NeurogesX shares in the growing market opportunity for Qutenza in the Astellas territory, which includes the EU, the Middle East and Africa, through ongoing royalties, as well as potential sales milestones. In the United States, Qutenza is approved for the management of neuropathic pain associated with post herpetic neuralgia (PHN).